This influence is seen in many other parts of the story as well. .
When characters are examined, Gilgamesh's actions seem to amount to little in comparison with his mother's accomplishments. From the very beginning of the story, Ninsun helps interpret Gilgamesh's dreams, which leads to Gilgamesh having the confidence to complete quests like destroying Humbaba. Without his mother there to guide him, Gilgamesh would most likely not even understand why he had to go on this trip and how he would do so. Not only did Ninsun cause Gilgamesh and Enkidu to take this voyage, she was largely responsible for their success. After relentlessly praying to the god of Shamash, Shamash causes the thirteen winds to help take down Humbaba. Remembering the fact that women represent society in this story, Ninsun's indirect actions against Humbaba take a different role than the Harlot's actions "against " the untamed Enkidu. Humbaba is a creature representative of nature, created completely of Earthly parts. As Ninsun is arguably the prime force in Humbaba's defeat, this woman is found destroying an evil of nature, once again making her world more apt for the civilization in which she represents and strengthening the society. Not only did a woman cause the two to go on this journey and help them defeat the monster, women helped fuse the bond between the two conquerors. While keeping the bond between Gilgamesh and Enkidu in mind, it is important to remember just how this bond was formed. The ceremony that bonds the two takes place in the temple and involves harlots and sexual activity, thereby resulting in a woman bonding the two men, again through this unseen power. This ceremony, as it takes place in the temple, seems to be pure and once again shows women being a force of civility and a pillar in the society.
One could argue that women might have a large role in the story, but Gilgamesh and Enkidu are truly the main characters.